C'mon Gibson, light the Cavs' fire

Wednesday

He gave them an offensive spark last season. A new season begins tonight with the Cavaliers hoping Daniel Gibson lights up the offense on a more continuous basis.

He gave them an offensive spark last season.

A new season begins tonight with the Cavaliers hoping Daniel Gibson lights up the offense on a more continuous basis.

The second-year point guard makes his first opening night start tonight when the Cavs host the Mavericks at 8 p.m. A star of last year’s run to the NBA Finals, Gibson sounds ready for the challenge.

“I feel like it’s all coming together at the right time,” he said.

Gibson, whose nickname is “Boobie,” became a local cult hero last June. Remember the “Shoot Boobie Shoot” T-shirts that flew off sales racks?

The shirts arrived after he burned the Pistons for 31 points in the decisive sixth game of the Eastern Conference Finals. He made all five of his 3-pointers that night, setting a team record with 19 fourth-quarter points.

But to be a sustained star in the NBA, Gibson realizes he must do more. That’s why he took just one day off from when the Finals ended with a loss to the Spurs before returning to the gym.

Gibson worked on all aspects of his game. And much of that time was spent working with John Lucas, a former NBA point guard and head coach (including Cleveland).

“As far as a floor leader, I think I’m a lot better as far as being able to get into the offense, make the right pass and get guys into the right place,” Gibson said. “I think I’ve gained that with experience and by being out there on the court.”

Gibson made his impact last season primarily as a scorer off the bench. He earned the trust of star LeBron James, and his minutes increased significantly by season’s end.

After scoring 4.6 points per game in 60 games during the regular season, he nearly doubled his scoring average to 8.3 points in 20 playoff games. He scored 63 points during the final three games of the conference finals.

His offseason work included adding a floater in the lane and mid-range jumpers to his long-range shooting ability. But as important as his scoring is, Gibson also must be a floor leader for an offense that too often relies on James to make something out of nothing.

“That was one of my main focuses over the summer, to get better as far as vocally being able to talk to guys,” Gibson said.

The other thing the 6-foot-2, 194-pound Gibson must prove is that he can take the physical and mental grind of being a full-time player for a full NBA season.

Gibson sat out Cleveland’s first seven games and didn’t begin to see significant minutes until last December.

“We’re going to see how his body adjusts to that, trying to be able to play a whole 82-game regular season,” James said.

Gibson was bothered by a strained right hamstring late in camp but said he’s at full strength now. He thinks he understands what type of journey he is about to embark on.

”I know that last year it was kind of touch and go (for playing time),” he said. “I was in a little bit, out a little, but ... I was still traveling. I still had opportunities to be around during those 82 games. I know it’s a long season.

“But I think the summer is when you prepare yourself for it. And I think I worked hard enough to where now my body should be able to handle it.”